Red Raiders face tough offense Saturday with Cowboys’ Okung

One team has a seasoned, record-setting quarterback and two of the best running backs in the Big 12 Conference. The other has a dizzying passing attack with talented playmakers all over the field.

But the big boys up front might have the most say in who wins Saturday’s showdown between Texas Tech and No. 17 Oklahoma State — more so than Taylor Potts, Detron Lewis and Alex Torres for the Red Raiders, or Zac Robinson, Keith Toston and Kendall Hunter for the Cowboys.

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup is Oklahoma State’s dominant offensive line versus Tech’s disruptive defensive front. The Cowboys are tied for the national lead with only four sacks allowed this season, while the Red Raiders’ 30 sacks are tied for fourth-most in the country.

“We’re looking forward to it,” OSU left tackle Russell Okung said. “The one-on-one battles in pass protection and run blocking, every play is going to be golden.”

Tech head coach Mike Leach described the Cowboys’ offensive line as a “big, strong, nasty group.” All nine players listed on the two-deep weigh at least 290 pounds — six top 300 on the scale — and each stands at least 6-foot-2.

It’s also a group with plenty of savvy and seasoning. Four of the five starters are seniors, and Okung, right tackle Brady Bond and center Andrew Lewis have made a combined 117 starts in their careers.

“Big time,” Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said. “They’re good. This will be the best offensive line we’ve faced.”

The 6-5, 300-pound Okung garners the most attention among the group, and rightfully so. The Lombardi Award semifinalist was tabbed as a first-team preseason all-American by four publications, and he’s projected to be one of the top picks in the next NFL draft.

Oklahoma State offensive line coach Joe Wickline said Okung is a “step above in terms of God-given talents,” and that his competitiveness, character and humility have enabled him to turn his ability into productivity.

“He has what I call the measurables and the makeup to be a candidate to play on Sundays,” Wickline said. “That’s something that will be determined here in a few months, but I think he has those characteristics.”

Okung insists his fellow offensive linemen are just as good, and McNeill pointed out that Bond and Lewis also were preseason all-Big 12 selections. And the results this season speak for themselves.

Along with keeping Robinson virtually untouched, the group has paved the way for 196 rushing yards per game, tops in the Big 12.

“Whether you’re run blocking or pass blocking, we want to be good at both and always keep opposing defenses on their toes,” Okung said. “We’re the type of line, we’re going to compete, go out there and work. We’re going to be the most physical force on the field.”

Okung said cohesiveness and continuity have been the keys for the Cowboys, and they’ve also made some seamless adjustments when necessary. Redshirt freshman Lane Taylor became the starting right guard in the season’s third week and is “doing a great job for them,” according to McNeill, and senior Andrew Mitchell, a former tight end, drew praise from OSU head coach Mike Gundy after filling in for an injured Bond last week at right tackle.

“That’s what depth is all about,” Wickline said. “That’s why we have more than five scholarships in the offensive line. ... You can make a big deal about it or keep on rolling.”

Wickline said Wednesday he’s not sure whether Bond will be ready to return this week. Either way, he knows it won’t be easy for the Cowboys’ line to continue its run of solid play.

Wickline said containing Tech’s defensive line will be a “gigantic challenge” for his group. Tech’s Brandon Sharpe is tied for fourth nationally with 101/2 sacks, fellow defensive end Daniel Howard has 61/2, and neither has played in all nine games.

“We clearly have our hands full again,” Wickline said. “We don’t see them as any different than the University of Georgia, an SEC defense, or the University of Texas. It’s the same type of guys. They run well, they’re coached well, they’ve got a lot of depth, and the big thing is they play extremely hard. We’ll get to work and we’ll see.”